Green Is Good!

Sustainable Forestry Bulletin UPDATE from MAF

We have just recieved the following from NZMAF which you will find of interest:

The Climate Change Response (Moderated Emissions Trading Scheme) Amendment Act passes into legislation

On 8 December 2009 the Climate Change Response (Moderated Emissions Trading Scheme) Amendment Act came into law and amends the previous legislation.

The Amendment Act includes a number of important changes relevant to the forestry sector.

For more information on the changes please see the fact sheet Changes to the NZ ETS for Forestry (PDF).

More information on these changes will be available shortly as the various guides on forestry in the ETS, the use of look-up tables, and mapping are updated on the MAF website.

Forestry Allocation Plan update

Submissions on the Forestry Allocation Plan closed on 22 November 2009 and are being considered. As a result of the feedback received, changes were made to the Act that allowed for more detail to be prescribed in the allocation plan in relation to when land will be considered to have “transferred” and what constitutes a “body corporate”. MAF is currently assessing whether further consultation will be required.

The above changes and other changes to the Act mean the Forestry Allocation Plan is unlikely to be issued before the second quarter of 2010.

Forestry Emissions trading scheme notices

1. Deforestation of pre-1990 forest land during 2008 and 2009 – deadline for notifying MAF is 31 January 2010

People who deforest more than 2 hectares of pre-1990 forest land become mandatory participants of the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) and are legally obliged to:

• Notify MAF;
• File an emissions return quantifying their liability to surrender units;
• Surrender units to meet their emissions liability.

If more than 2 hectares of pre-1990 forest land was deforested between 1 January 2008 and 31 December 2009, the person responsible (usually the land owner) is required to notify MAF by 31 January 2010.

Deforestation after 31 December 2009 of more than 2 hectares of pre-1990 forest land must be notified to MAF within 20 working days of starting the deforestation by the person responsible (usually the landowner).

Notification

Notification to MAF must be made using a prescribed form - available at: http://www.maf.govt.nz/sustainable-forestry/ets/form_notify-deforestation.htm

Forms should be sent to:
Emissions Trading Scheme
Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry
PO Box 1127
WELLINGTON 6140

One of the key pieces of information that must be included on the notification form is a mandatory participant’s holding account number at the New Zealand Emission Unit Registry (NZEUR). Participants are required to meet their emission liabilities by surrendering units from their NZEUR holding account to the Government. Holding accounts are obtained by applying to the NZEUR at: www.eur.govt.nz.

Filing emissions returns

As at 31 January 2010, all mandatory participants who have notified in relation to deforestation between 1 January 2008 and 31 December 2009 are legally required to file an emissions return with MAF by 31 March 2010 using the form available at:

• www.maf.govt.nz/sustainable-forestry/ets/form_pre-1990-deforestation.htm.

The emissions return must be sent to MAF using a paper form only as no online transaction is available yet.

Mandatory participants, who notify after 31 December 2009, are required to file an emissions return between 1 January and 31 March of the year following the year in which they notified.

Surrendering units

As at 31 January 2010 All mandatory participants who have notified deforestation between 1 January 2008 and 31 December 2009 are legally required to surrender units any time from 1 January 2011 to 31 May 2011.

Timeline

The table below summarises the timelines for notifying deforestation, submitting an emissions return and surrendering units:

Pre-1990 forest land deforested	Notification to MAF	Emissions return submitted	Surrender of units
2008	By 31 Jan 2010	1 Jan 2010–31 Mar 2010	1 Jan 2011–31 May 2011
2009	By 31 Jan 2010	1 Jan 2010–31 Mar 2010	1 Jan 2011–31 May 2011
2010	Within 20 days	1 Jan 2011–31 Mar 2011	1 Jan 2011–31 May 2011

If you have any questions please contact 0800 CLIMATE (254 628).

2. Getting your post –1989 forest land into the ETS

If you own forest land established after 31 December 1989, you may be eligible to register as a voluntary participant in the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) and earn units for increases in the carbon stocks sequestered within your forest since 1 January 2008.

The choice is yours, but if you want to receive units for your forest land in 2010 it’s important not to leave registration until the last minute. You will need to allow sufficient time for your ETS registration application to be processed (usually four weeks, but longer if your application is incomplete or complex) and still leave enough time for filing your emissions return by 31 March 2010 for the net change in carbon stocks to the end of 2009.

You will need to allow enough time for the following steps:

• Step one: apply to the NZEUR (www.eur.govt.nz) to open a holding account. Please note: opening a holding account does not mean you have become registered as an ETS participant.
• Step two: apply to MAF (www.maf.govt.nz/sustainable-forestry/ets/ets-transactions) to be registered as a post-1989 participant in the ETS. MAF will need to verify your eligibility.
• Step three: once you have been registered as an ETS participant, you are entitled to file an emissions return by the due date (on or before 31 March 2010). If your application to be registered as an ETS participant has not been approved by 31 March 2010, you are not entitled to file an emissions return in 2010.

MAF will process applications as quickly as practicable. However there can be delays in processing applications when there are errors in the application, mismatches between NZEUR holding account details and the participant registration application or if MAF needs further information from you.

If we receive complete registration applications by 1 February 2010, we should be able to process these in time for you to file an emissions return in 2010.

For more information, visit www.maf.govt.nz/sustainable-forestry or call 0800 CLIMATE.

3. MAF online application system – Christmas shutdown

Our online application system will be shut down from midday Thursday 24 December 2009 and will re-open at 8:30am Tuesday 5 January 2010. During this time paper-based ETS registration and emission return forms will still be available for download and printing from the MAF website at www.maf.govt.nz/sustainable-forestry/ets/ets-transactions.htm.

The Call Centre (0800 CLIMATE) will also be closed over that period.

Consultation on emissions rulings fees and charges regulations

A person may apply to Ministry of Economic Development for an emissions ruling in respect of the operation and administration of the Emissions Trading Scheme.

A discussion document on Emissions Rulings Fees and Charges Regulations (available at www.med.govt.nz/upload/70943/emissions-ruling-scheme.pdf) has been released by the Ministry of Economic Development. The discussion document outlines proposed regulations to set fees and charges to cover the administration costs associated with providing the emissions ruling service.

Written submissions on the proposals set out in this document are invited by 1 February 2010.

To make a submission, please email climatechange@med.govt.nz or mail to Ministry of Economic Development, PO Box 1473, Wellington.

Note from the New Zealand Emissions Unit Register

The team at the New Zealand Emissions Unit Register has advised that they have been receiving applications for a holding account from participants applying for exemptions. Please note that applications for less than 50 hectare exemptions do not need a holding account.

Who is worse? USA or China?

We have just been sent some data from the WRI's Earthtrends report and one of the data sets was of interest to us and we are sure it will be of interest to you?

The data compares 2005 GHG emissions in the USA with China.

The WRI tells us :

The single largest source of China’s greenhouse gas emissions is the burning of fossil fuels -- coal, oil and natural gas -- for electricity, heat and transport. Coal is by far China’s most important fossil fuel, and some 80% of its total carbon dioxide emissions from energy sources are related to the use of coal. The other major sources of China’s greenhouse gas emissions are agriculture (roughly 15%), industrial processes (9%), and waste (2%).

 

The WRI's citation is to ChinaFAQs: The Network for Climate and Energy Information. Convened by the World Resources Institute. Available online: http://www.chinafaqs.org

This web site tells us:

What is ChinaFAQs?
ChinaFAQs is a project facilitated by the World Resources Institute that provides insight into critical questions about Chinese policy and action on energy and climate change.

The ChinaFAQs network is comprised of U.S.-based experts and partner organizations, including researchers at U.S. universities and government laboratories, independent scholars, civil society organizations, and other professionals.

Is this kind of information helpful or useful to you?

Do you think it is biased to the USA and makes China look bad?

Do you think China will take a leadership role in the meetings in December?

Let us know what you think?

Green TV

 

It astounds me the amount of great GREEN content that is available on the Internet!

I came across this video is which Paul Polman CEO of Unilever outlines how the company's on-going commitment to sustainability makes sense both from a consumer and economic standpoint and that it drives innovation within the business.

 

Unilever - Progress on Sustainability - Funny video clips are a click away

 

As you will see this came from GREEN TV.

The NZ media does not give us much mainstream GREEN content. Check out Green TV it is worth a VIEW.

Consultation on pre-1990 forest land allocation announced

The "Sustainable Forestry Bulletin" recently sent me this message that I want to reproduce for you all to read as it is a subject some of you will have an interest in.

 

New consultation on the pre-1990 forest land allocation

The Pre-1990 Forest Land Allocation Plan (Consultation Draft) has been released today for the allocation of New Zealand Units (NZUs) to owners of pre-1990 forest land.

The Consultation Draft supersedes the Draft Forestry Allocation Plan released in October 2008. All submissions received in response to the 2008 Draft Plan were carefully considered. Where supported by the Government, options put forward in previous submissions have been included in the current proposed changes.

A new allocation plan is required because of the changes to the forestry provisions of the NZ Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) that are proposed in the Climate Change Response (Moderated Emissions Trading) Amendment Bill (see Issue 8 of this bulletin for further details).

Note that submissions to the Select Committee considering the Amendment Bill closed on 13 October 2009. Current legislation and regulations still apply until changes are passed into law by Parliament.

The pre-1990 forest land allocation policy

Under the ETS, emissions arising from the deforestation of more than 2 hectares of exotic pre 1990 forest land after 1 January 2008 are automatically included in the ETS unless the land has been exempted. To offset some of the impact of the rules of the ETS, New Zealand Units (NZUs) are to be allocated to eligible owners of pre-1990 exotic forest land.

Eligible landowners will need to decide in the first half of 2010 whether to either:

• apply for an allocation of NZUs; or
• if eligible, apply to have their land exempted from the NZ ETS (under the less-than-50 ha exemption, or the tree weed exemption).

The allocation of NZUs is 18, 39 or 60 units per hectare depending on when and how the landowner acquired the land. All eligible recipients will be transferred part of their entitlement (38%) in Commitment Period 1 (1 January 2008 to 31 December 2012); the balance will be transferred after 2012.

The forestry allocation has significant value. Landowners will not be obliged to apply for either an allocation of NZUs or one of the exemptions but it may be in their financial interests to do so. The Government expects most, if not all, eligible landowners will apply for either an allocation or an exemption.

This consultation

The Consultation Draft of the Pre-1990 Forest Land Allocation Plan that we are seeking feedback on follows the proposed policy and process requirements in the Amendment Bill. Specifically, we seek your feedback on:

• Which landowner should receive an allocation of units if forest land was recently sold?
• When does a shareholding change become an ownership change, and how to determine when ownership was transferred?
• What information should be provided with applications?
• What records must be kept and for how long?

These elements of the Allocation Plan will not be prescribed by the ETS legislation once it is amended.

The public can make submissions on the Consultation Draft until November 22, 2009. For a copy of the consultation draft or to make an online submission, visit www.maf.govt.nz/sustainable-forestry, call 0800 CLIMATE (254 628) or email: climatechange@maf.govt.nz.

MAF grants $4 million for new forests

The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) has granted $4 million to 42 recipients to plant new forests.

MAF Programmes Director Clive Lilley says the third round of the Afforestation Grant Scheme's (AGS) public tender round, which closed on 30 April, saw a total of $4,020,993 granted to projects around New Zealand for the 2009/10 and 2010/11 financial years

"The 42 projects will create 2688 hectares of new forest in 2009 and 2010 at an average price of $1789 per hectare in the high sequestration pool and $650 per hectare in the low sequestration pool.

"It will be allocated to projects in the Waikato, Gisborne, Hawkes Bay, Manawatu/Wanganui, Wellington, Nelson/Marlborough, Canterbury, Otago and Southland regions.

"MAF received 68 tenders in this last round, double the number received in the previous round, indicating very strong interest in the Scheme."

Mr Lilley said since the AGS got underway in June last year over $6.9 million has been allocated to projects totaling over 4,495 hectares.

All available funding has now been allocated for the 2010/11 financial year, which means there will be no tender round for this October.

The next tender round is planned to close on 30 March 2010. Mr Lilley said 16 eligible tenders that have not been able to be approved due to demand exceeding available funding have been held over and may be approved as further funding becomes available.

Next year’s round will be for projects starting in the 2011/12 financial year.

For further information on the AGS or to download an AGS Public Tender Form, see: http://www.maf.govt.nz/climatechange/forestry/initiatives/ags/

The Sustainability Forestry Bulletin

The "Sustainable Forestry Bulletin" is about keeping you and others with an interest in forestry informed. Please feel free to forward it on to others who might be interested.

To subscribe to the Bulletin, please email sustainableforestrybulletin@maf.govt.nz with ‘Subscribe: Sustainable Forestry Bulletin’ in the subject line and your contact details in the body of the email.

If you have any questions relating to anything in this Bulletin or other forestry matters, please email your enquiries to: climatechange@maf.govt.nz or ring 0800 CLIMATE (254 628).

The countdown is on for COP 15 at the UNFCCC in Copenhagen

 

The countdown is on and preparations are well underway for COP 15 at the UNFCCC in Copenhagen.  In recent days we have seen Japan, China and India all commit to ambitious targets.  Australia and the US are both still to gain legislative support for their targets.  UN negotiations are now back underway in Bangkok.  This is the penultimate negotiating session before COP 15 in Copenhagen in December, at which an ambitious and effective international climate change deal is to be clinched.

New Zealand will present its ETS to this meeting!

At a press conference held midway through the Talks in Bangkok (2 Oct), Yvo de Boer spoke of encouraging signals that the Talks can deliver the tools and rules essential to a successful climate change deal in Copenhagen. CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE VIDEO

What do you think of the speech? Is it all talk and will there be action!! Let us know your thoughts!

ETS 101 - a starting guide

There is much debate in NZ on the proposed NZETS. We must remember that an ETS is not the total solution to all of the emission problems nor is it the only response.

To follow is a 101 guide to ETS.

It has always been our position that being sustainable is good for business! This is now bearing fruit as there is a direct positive economic impact related to the cost of carbon under and NZETS.

For example if the power price is set to rise in the NZETS then being more energy efficient will save you money! We think this is a "no brainer"!

Emissions Trading

 

Emissions trading is a policy instrument available to mitigate GHG emissions. It involves putting a limit on the quantity of GHG emissions that can be emitted to the atmosphere over a set period of time – the “emissions cap”

 

Government policy documents state that emissions trading schemes are internationally recognised as an equitable, effective and efficient way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

 

Emitters of carbon will need to purchase carbon credits. As carbon is emitted, the credits that a business holds/processes will need to be surrendered, effectively “paying” for the greenhouse gasses produced.

 

GHG emissions are usually converted to their carbon dioxide equivalent [CO₂e]

 

Trading participants can then purchase and sell emission allowances in order to meet their emissions cap.

 

Emissions trading operates like a commodity market where the price is determined by the Market based on the relative supply.

 

The price of the emission allowance [the carbon price] is the financial incentive to limit emissions.

 

Emissions trading alone will not be sufficient to achieve the global reductions in GHG emissions that are required to stabilise atmospheric GHG concentrations, but ETS is the principal instrument that governments are employing in the first instance.

 

Any ETS system has advantages and disadvantages. Potential advantages of an ETS include:

 

• The guarantee of a specific emissions reduction [abatement] outcome which is set by an emission cap
• Can lead to the use of innovation and business responses to reduce the resource intensity and affect of business on GHG emissions

 

Potential disadvantages can include:

 

• The carbon price is not known in advance
• Can be costly to establish
• If free rebates and permits are offered then economic distortions can occur

 

Cap and Trade

 

New Zealand has chosen a cap and trade system. This involves setting a specific limit (a cap) on the quantity of emissions that can be released to the atmosphere from a specified group of emission sources over a given time period.

 

For an ETS to be effective and efficient as a mitigation instrument the trading  system should cover some of the following key principles:

 

• Maximum emissions coverage
• Provide a clear market incentive to reduce emissions
• Be embodied in long term government policy
• Maximise administration efficiencies to reduce compliance costs
• Have a clear set of standards that allow for accurate emissions accounting
• Provide economic efficiency and equity

 

What is the ETS

 

Under an ETS, prices are established for units to emit greenhouse gases. It is hoped that these prices influence decisions by producers, consumers and investors, in their decision making around the reduction of emissions and to look at viable alternatives.

 

Put more simply, essentially, if you create emissions, say by using fossil fuels by driving your car e.g. petroleum, it costs you units (so called carbon credits). If you create a carbon sink (plant trees) that then soak up carbon emissions, you create credit units that can be traded.

If you have any questions or comments let us know?

Beehive - Revised ETS balances NZ environment & economy

Beehive - Revised ETS balances NZ environment & economy Shared via AddThis

The NZ Government has made it's announcements on the NZETS - it is now more than ever important for NZ business to get on with its ETS strategy!

We suggest that you take a process improvement angle and look at reductions and efficiencies in:

• water usage
• energy usage
• fuel usage
• fleet mileage
• waste to landfill

The release on Nick Smith web page state:

Features of the revised scheme include:

• Revised entry dates of 1 July 2010 for transport, energy and industrial sectors and 1 January 2015 for agriculture
• A transitional phase until 1 January 2013 with a 50% obligation and $25 fixed price option for the transport, energy and industrial sectors
  
• A production-based industry average approach to allocations for trade exposed, emissions intensive businesses
  
• A phase-out of industry support aligned with trading partners and the Government’s long-term -50 by 2050 emissions reduction target
  
• Incentives for afforestation created by a domestic and international market for carbon credits
  
• Enhanced transitional support for the fishing industry

WE SUGGEST YOU READ THE RELATED DOCUMENTS THAT HAVE BEEN POSTED TO GIVE YOU CONTEXT

Look for these at the bottom of the page on the link above.

Milutin Milankovitch the father of climate change research??

I have been undertaking some research for some upcoming seminars I will be conduction on Sustainability, Climate Change and the NZETS.

I must have missed that class at college about the Milankovitch cycles so I thought that the reads of this BLOG may also be interested too??

Milankovich Cycles

 

The Milankovich cycles refers to changes in the earth’s orbit and orientation toward the sun and have long term important bearings on the earth’s climate.

 

Astronomer Milutin Milankovitch [1879 – 1958] developed the mathematical formulas upon which these orbital variations are based. He hypothesized that when some parts of the cyclic variations are combined and occur at the same time, they are responsible for major changes to the earth's climate (even ice ages). Milankovitch estimated climatic fluctuations over the last 450,000 years and described cold and warm periods.

 

The Serbian astrophysicist Milutin Milankovitch is best known for developing one of the most significant theories relating Earth motions and long-term climate change. Born in 1879 in the rural village of Dalj (then part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, today located in Croatia), Milankovitch attended the Vienna Institute of Technology and graduated in 1904 with a doctorate in technical sciences. After a brief stint as the chief engineer for a construction company, he accepted a faculty position in applied mathematics at the University of Belgrade in 1909—a position he held for the remainder of his life.

 

You may have missed this science class at school and may not be aware that  the axis of the earth pointing toward the North Star (Polaris) is at an angle of 23.45° and that the earth is approximately 91-94 million miles from the sun, these facts are not absolute or constant. The interaction between the earth and sun, known as orbital variation, changes and has changed throughout the 4.6 billion year history of our planet.

 

Orbit Variations

 

About every 100,000 years the earth’s orbit around the sun varies from nearly circular to elliptical (elongated). This has an effect on the amount of the suns radiation that strikes the earth. When circular the variations are around 6% between summer and winter. However in an elliptical phase the variation can be 20-30%!

 

You may think that most objects in space that orbit something else move in circles, but that isn't the case. Although some objects follow circular orbits, most orbits are shaped more like "stretched out" circles or ovals. Mathematicians and astronomers call this oval shape an ellipse.

 

The eccentricity of Earth's orbit is very small, so Earth's orbit is nearly circular. Earth's orbital eccentricity is less than 0.02. The orbit of Pluto is the most eccentric of any planet in our Solar System. Pluto's orbital eccentricity is almost 0.25.

 

The Sun is not at the center of an elliptical orbit. It is a little off to one side, at a point called a "focus" of the ellipse. Because of this offset the planet moves closer to and further away from the Sun every orbit. The close point in each orbit is called perihelion. The far away point is called aphelion. If an orbit has a large eccentricity, the difference between the perihelion distance and the aphelion distance will also be large. Earth is only 3% further from the Sun at aphelion than it is at perihelion. Pluto's aphelion distance from the Sun is 66% greater than its perihelion distance.

 

 

 

Axis Tilt

 

 

About every 42,000 years the tilt of the earth’s axis ranges from 21.8 to 24.4 degrees. This tilt determines the angle of solar radiation that hits the earth’s surface.  At present we are around 23.5 degrees.

 

The Earth's axis is tilted from perpendicular to the plane of the ecliptic by 23.45°. This tilting is what gives us the four seasons of the year - spring, summer, autumn (fall) and winter. Since the axis is tilted, different parts of the globe are oriented towards the Sun at different times of the year.

 

Summer is warmer than winter (in each hemisphere) because the Sun's rays hit the Earth at a more direct angle during summer than during winter and also because the days are much longer than the nights during the summer. During the winter, the Sun's rays hit the Earth at an extreme angle, and the days are very short. These effects are due to the tilt of the Earth's axis.

 

Orientation

 

About every 22,000 years the orientation of the earth’s axis changes between the Pole star and the Vega star. This determines what time summer and winter occurs!

 

The term "Earth orientation" refers to the direction in space of axes which have been defined on the Earth. It is usually measured using five quantities: two angles which identify the direction of the Earth's rotation axis within the Earth, an angle describing the rotational motion of the Earth, and two angles which characterize the direction of the Earth's rotation axis in space. With these coordinates, the orientation of the Earth in space is fully described.

 

 

Pole Star

 

A pole star is a visible star, especially a prominent one that is approximately aligned with the Earth's axis of rotation; that is, a star whose apparent position is close to one of the celestial poles, and which lies (approximately) directly overhead when viewed from the Earth's North Pole or South Pole. There are potentially both northern and southern pole stars, but whether there is either depends on the current orientation of the Earth's axis, which moves over time (see precession of the equinoxes). The term the Pole Star usually refers to the star Polaris (colloquially referred to as the North Star), which is the current northern pole star.

 

[WRI's EarthTrends Delivered] Climate and Energy Charts and Figures

I recently signed up with the WRI's earth trends service which I have previously mentioned in this BLOG.

I have received my first update and wanted to share one set of data with you.

Global CO2 Emissions Growth in Select Sectors: 2000-2005

Total global emissions grew 12.7% between 2000 and 2005, an average of 2.4% a year. However, individual sectors grew at rates between 40% and near zero percent, and there are substantial differences in sectoral growth rates between developed and developing countries.

This chart shows emissions growth by region in four select sectors: electricity & heat, transport, industry, and building use. Emissions growth in every sector is primarily attributable to developing countries, which now account for the majority of emissions from electricity & heat, as well as industry. However, developed countries still account for a majority of emissions in the transport and building use sectors.

These figures are quite sobering. At a time when there is still lots of debate here in NZ about the implementation of the NZETS these figures show why every country must do something to reduce consumption, resource intensity and the release of CO2e emissions.

The following graph is courtesy of the WRI service.

EU greenhouse gas emissions fell by 1.5% in 2008 - can NZ do the same?

EU greenhouse gas emissions fell by 1.5% in 2008

31 August 2009 - Greenhouse gas emissions in the EU declined for the fourth year running last year, according to preliminary data released by the European Environment Agency (EEA) on Monday. Emissions were down by 1.5% across the bloc and 1.3% in the old EU-15.

This brought EU-27 emissions to 10.7% below 1990 levels, more than halfway to the EU's legally-binding target of a 20% cut by 2020. In the EU-15, emissions in 2008 were 6.2% below 1990 levels. This confirms the region is well on track to reach its Kyoto target, said environment commissioner Stavros Dimas.

But Mr Dimas acknowledged that part of the reduction comes from the economic slowdown, which significantly brought down production levels and related emissions. He urged member states to swiftly implement the EU's climate and energy package to continue this downward trend.

Earlier this year, the European Commission reported a 3% drop in industrial emissions of greenhouse gases in 2008. Analysts primarily attributed the decrease to the recession. Last week, a report showed the world's largest companies are unlikely deliver cuts recommended by scientists.

This is the first time the EEA has published provisional data for the previous year so early. Emissions data for 2007 were only published three months ago. EU emissions fell by 1.2% that year compared to 0.3% in 2006. A final report on the 2008 data will be published in June 2010.

Internationally, ongoing climate negotiations are making slow progress.During a meeting in Bonn in August, the UNFCCC released figures showing pledges made by rich nations would only amount to a 15-21% cut. Governments will continue their discussions at a G20 meeting in Pittsburgh, the US, on 24-25 September.

Japan's Democratic Party, which swept to power on Sunday, has pledged to reduce the country's greenhouse gas emissions by 25% below 1990 levels by 2020. The previous government had proposed an 8% reduction .

What can we learn form what the EU is achieving?

My view is that they took the pain and got an ETS up and running early and now they are reaping the rewards!

Reel Earth Environmental Film Festival - Wellington NZ

MEDIA RELEASE

3 September 2009

THE PROOF THAT SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS IS GOOD BUSINESS HITS THE BIG SCREEN

An award-winning film showing what is possible when a multi-national company, with operations in New Zealand, commits to a more sustainable path, will open the Wellington season of the Reel Earth Environmental film festival.

So Right, So Smart, described by judges at this year's Reel Earth Awards as 'a truly inspirational film that should be required viewing for all politicians and captains of industry' will screen at the Paramount on 1 October.

The film presents a good news story at a time when business needs good news stories.

So Right, So Smart tells the story of how, in an epiphanal moment, Ray Anderson, founder of the hugely successful Interface Corporation, realised the implications of his company's way of operating and decided to take a different path. He set about changing their business practices and setting a goal of having no environmental footprint by the year 2020. In the process, he realised that the changes he was making were actually very good for business.

Anderson's philosophy reaches across the company's many international operations, including here in New Zealand.

Managing Director of Interface NZ, Robb Donze, says that the key to making better business practices work is leadership from the top.

'Ray has set the bar very high for the company globally. Interface NZ works hard to lower its own environmental footprint here in New Zealand. All products are certified as climate neutral. Our entire footprint locally is offset through Landcare's carboNZero program.

'We are active members of the NZ Business Council for Sustainable Development and are sponsors of the Green Building Council's Interior Fit Out Tool. We take our leadership position very seriously and continue to show the business case for sustainability by our own example.'

Robb Donze will speak at the screening, giving the audience a chance to hear first hand what worked and what is necessary to successfully implement sustainable business practices in New Zealand.

So Right, So Smart shows how ecologically sound business practices foster better business in general, using examples such as Patagonia and the Green Mountain Coffee Roasters. The film features insights from world experts such as David Suzuki, Paul Hawken and Lester Brown.

So Right, So Smart won Best Feature Film at this year's Reel Earth Environmental Film Festival Awards.

The Wellington Season of the Reel Earth Environmental Film Festival is hosted by the Wellington Branch of Forest and Bird and sponsored by Graphic Press.

The Festival runs from the 1 - 15 October and features films on environmental issues and the natural environment. More details are at

www.reelearth.org.nz

Ends

CONTACT - Vicki Connor, Forest and Bird, Wellington Branch, by e-mail until 8 September envirofilms@gmail.com <

mailto:envirofilms@gmail.com

> , after 8 September 027 222 2943

WHAT: So Right, So Smart film screening and talk by Robb Donze, Managing Director Interface NZ

WHEN: Thursday 1 October, 5.30pm (screening at 6pm)

WHERE: The Paramount, Courtenay Place, Wellington.

TICKETS: In advance from the Paramount or by e-mailing envirofilms@gmail.com <

mailto:envirofilms@gmail.com>

Tickets are $20 and include a glass of Yealands wine, an award winning boutique vineyard committed to sustainable viticulture.

EarthTrends Delivered: Get the latest WRI charts and data via your inbox

As a subscriber to the WRI - World Resources Institute I have been advised of the launch of Earth Trends.

They state:

WRI is happy to announce the preview release of "EarthTrends Delivered" - a free graphics subscription service sending WRI charts and figures to your inbox based on your research and policy priorities.

"EarthTrends Delivered" makes it easy for you to use WRI charts and figures in your research, presentations, or in the media. For every chart, "EarthTrends Delivered" provides high-resolution images and original citations, and in many cases the underlying data sets.

This initial release includes Climate and Energy charts and figures that address issues related to U.S. and international climate policy, energy and electricity, greenhouse gas emissions, and adaptation.

To learn more, provide feedback, or subscribe today, visit www.earthtrendsdelivered.org/signup?c=CT1842.

I have signed up as this looks like a good resource. I suggest you sign up too!

Green Pen update #8 It still looks like a pen!

The last green pen trial update was on 3 June 2009. Since then we have had a hard winter in Wellington.

Today has turned sunny after a rainstorm and gale winds over night!

To follow are the latest pictures of the pen sitting in my garden. As you will notice that more than a year after I put it there it still looks like a pen and the printing is still very clear!

 

 

 

Making the environment sexy! The Age of Stupid Movie

Did you know that the producer of the movie THE AGE OF STUPID is a kiwi? Lizzie Gillett cut her teeth in Dunedin.

Will this movie be the next Inconvenient Truth?

From my research it looks like they are using some strong facts and information as a basis for the movie.

The Age of Stupidis the new four-year epic from McLibel director Franny Armstrong. Oscar-nominated Pete Postlethwaite stars as a man living alone in the devastated world of 2055, looking at old footage from 2008 and asking: why didn’t we stop climate change when we had the chance?

I will check the movie out in the next week and post my review. Please post a comment and review if you have seen the movie.

Carpooling - Greener, cheaper and more fun?? Maybe?

In this mornings Dominion Post print edition I read an article on page A2 about a new Wellington based car pool scheme.

One of the factors of reinstating the car pooling system is the ongoing problems with the regions commuter trains!

The article tells me that 700 people have signed up for the system. How may vehicle journeys does this take off the regions roads?

It is a fine balancing act between the potential of more vehicle trips as a result of commuter fleeing the trains! But at the current moment who want to use our truly 3rd world system?

I comment the Regional Council for the Let's carpool web site- however I ask the questions is this not the same regional council that has progressively let our trains get run down thru lack of investment!

Roll on 2010-11 for the arrival of our new trains and good luck to those trying car pooling. Let us all know what it is like if you use the service?

2020 or 2040 what should the target be for NZ

It is interesting times when it comes to the announcement of New Zealand's 2020 and 2040 emission reduction targets.

The Government has strongly rejected the Greenpeace Sign On initiative!

Here is some information that you may find of interest? It is about 2050 targets in the USA.

This is reproduced courtesy of WBCSD and Greenwire

U.S. can cut half its transportation emissions by 2050 -- report

The United States can cut greenhouse gas emissions from transportation in half by 2050 with strategies ranging from cutting speed limits to imposing road pricing, according to a report released today by federal agencies and environmental and industry groups.

Examining about 50 transportation strategies, the report found transportation emissions could be reduced 24 percent by 2050 by acting to change travel behavior and land-use patterns. The emissions reduction hit 47 percent by adding road pricing techniques, ranging from pay-as-you-go insurance to charging Americans for every mile driven.

The report found environmental gains from advances in fuel efficiency would be mostly undermined by increased travel and population, making it important to address the efficiency of the transportation sector by investing in public transit, land-use planning and other low-carbon alternatives.

John Porcari, deputy secretary at the Department of Transportation, said the report shows that lawmakers looking to recast the nation's transportation system to curb emissions and fuel consumption will need to look for combinations of policy changes. "There is no magic bullet," he said. "There is no single strategy that can be pursued to help us turn our corner. We need to look at a number of options."

Transportation accounts for roughly 28 percent of the United States' greenhouse gas emissions, and the sector has been one of the fastest-growing in the past two decades -- representing nearly half of the nation's total increase in greenhouse emissions since 1990.

The sweeping energy and climate measure that the House passed last month, H.R. 2454, would require carbon dioxide emissions to drop 17 percent below 2005 levels and a total of 83 percent by 2050. The study released today finds that making the transportation sector more efficient is critical to meeting those goals.

"We can't get there from here without reducing emissions from transportation," said Colin Peppard, climate and infrastructure policy director for Environmental Defense Fund, one of the groups that commissioned the report.

The report was written by consulting firm Cambridge Systematics. Its sponsors include DOT, the American Public Transportation Association and Shell Oil Co.

MAKES FOR INTERESTING READING!

WRI Report - Emerging Risks: Impacts of Key Environmental Trends in Emerging Asia

Are you on the WRI World Resources Institute emailing list? If not you should be.

Here is one good reason - they send you emails updating you on studies and reports.

Here is one that will be og interest!

Emerging Risks: Impacts of Key Environmental Trends in Emerging Asia

Emerging Risks: Impacts of Key Environmental Trends in Emerging Asia lays the groundwork for analysts to understand environmental issues as financially material, and for companies to see the financial benefits of reducing their environmental impacts.

This report is the first in a series establishing the link between issues like climate change, air pollution, water supply, and natural resource depletion and traditional financial analysis on corporate value and financial strength for companies in six key Asian economies – India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam.

The report lays the groundwork for analysts to understand environmental issues as financially material, and for companies to see the financial benefits of reducing their environmental impacts.

The report is 58 pages and the PDF file is 2.3MB and it is well worth a read!

Soil organic carbon pools in the northern circumpolar permafrost region

Sometime ago I signed up to receive updates from the Global Carbon Project GCP.

They sent me an email the other day which lead me to some information that you may find interesting.

You may be interested in a new assessment just published on the quantity of organic carbon buried in the permafrost regions of the Northern Hemisphere, a key vulnerability to future climate change.

Please check:

http://www.globalcarbonproject.org/news/SoilOrganicPoolsinPermafrost.html

Press releases:

English: http://www.reuters.com/article/africaCrisis/idUSSP458218

Spanish: http://lta.reuters.com/article/topNews/idLTASIE56005N20090701

Chinese: http://cn.reuters.com/article/CNEnvNews/idCNChina-4893620090701?mlt_click=Tertiary+Navigation+CN_36_Static+module+_sec1-priCon-m0_News

The link starts with: The vast amount of carbon stored in the Arctic and boreal regions of the world is more than double that previously estimated, according to a study published this week. The new estimate is over 1.5 trillion tons of frozen carbon, about twice as much carbon as contained in the atmosphere......

READ MORE HERE

So what do you think? Are we as a planet stuffed if more of the permafrost thaws out?

What can we do? Will the meetings in December 2009 sort it out?

The jury is out on this one!

 

 

Come and visit us at the Bizzone Bussiness Expo in Wellington 22-24 July

Green is Good BLOG together with Onespec and Sempre Avanti Consulting will be at stand #117 at the Bizzone Business Expo at the TSB Bank Arena from 22-24 July.

Please pop by and say hello.

We would love you to visit us (look out for us at stand 117 in the main hall) and to have a good look around the expo. Make sure you enter our card draw to win a new iPod.

We can offer you a complimentary ticket to the event by CLICKING HERE.

More details on the expo can be found at http://www.bizzone.com/ The information below gives you a quick overview of the Expo.

Why you should attend?

Increased sales, smarter marketing, tighter cashflow, compliance made easy, staffing solutions, access to finance, debt collection, pricing strategy, business planning, strategy, online business, IT, cost reduction, investment advice, insurance…

Get support for your business from

New Zealand

’s best

Including 40 free seminars, specialised zones, free business mentoring, free smart marketing expertise and much more.

For your complimentary guest ticket to the Bizzone Business Expos register online and automatically go in the draw to win a $100,000 Smart Marketing Prize 

www.bizzone.com/guestof/exhibitor

Put these dates in your diary now!

Wellington

– TSB Arena

22^ndJuly Wednesday 9-4pm

23rd July Thursday 9-8pm

24th July Friday 9-4pm 

The good oil! NZ Olive oil that is!! (knowing where your food comes from)

Next in the current series of blog posts on food is my very favorite a post about the good oil! OLIVE OIL. New Zealand olive oil. Local olive oil, oil grown and made with tender care in the Wairarapa. (in this photo - an olive picked from the tree by Anne)

I love and use olive oil a lot. I have developed a taste for premium NZ Olive oil.

The other day I met Dr Anne Opie at Moore Wilson's in the city. Anne was tasting oil that she had produced.

I loved it - the oil in question is Trio organic olive oil.

Anne and husband Brian have an olive grove in Greytown. As Anne and I talked it was evident we had a mutual passion for the good oil, food source issues and sustainability. I sent some information to Anne and she invited me over to the Wairarapa to have a tour of her olive grove.

(By the way I left Moor Wilson with a 375ml bottle of Trio oil)

On Saturday 20 June I got to visit the Opie's olive grove to learn more about where my good oil comes from, how it is produced and how it gets to market.

To follow is a photo essay of the tour. (you will note that some friends joined us for this great opportunity)

This is what the olive grove looks like.

There are 500 olive trees on this grove. The 2009 vintage produced a great oil from a small harvest in a difficult growing year. The result was an excellent return rate of 17.8%.

This is Dr Anne Opie (our host) Anne is very passionate about her olives! I found it amazing to meet the person who grows and nurtures the oils and overseas the transformation into world class extra virgin olive oil.

Anne's olives are certified organic. This causes one issue for production. The certified organic oil press is in TeHoro on the Kapiti Coast so the harvested olive has a long drive for pressing.

All of the walking about gave us all an appetite so we all had lunch together as YES WE GOT TO SAMPLE THE 2009 OIL! Together with last years.

 2008 oil on the left, 2009 on the right. As you can see the 2009 oil is very different with a great Green colour and powerful pepper aftertaste. I found the 2009 oil to be fantastic and used it on top of my soup!

We all had an amazing trip and tour. I thought I had a good understanding of the good oil. However post visit I have an enhanced awareness of the different vintages, storage times, types of olives and how much the growers passion can stamp its mark on the final product.

Trio oil is a fine example of grow local and eat local!

A big thank you to Anne and Brian for hosting us!

Knowing where your food comes from!

Yesterday I had the opportunity and pleasure to travel to the Wairarapa to visit Jackie and Tony's niche walnut production.

They live on a property that has a number of walnut trees and as a hobbie they are producing around 200kg of walnuts per season.

They do not produce commercial quantities but enough to share with friends and the local community.

I was amazed at their passion for what they produce and for the quality of their nuts.

We came away with a 1kg bag of nuts and with a better knowledge of how walnuts are produced. By the way these freshly picked and dried nuts taste amazing! Much better than what you get in the supermarket.

To follow are some pictures of the visit.

They also have two pigs

Walnut trees

Walnut in shells on drying rack

 

Jackie (in orange) showing us the tool they use to pick up the walnuts from the ground

Commercial nut cracker!

The final product - Yum

350.org can we all make a difference???

I came across 350.org on twitter the other day.

Dear World,

This is an invitation to help build a movement--to take one day and use it to stop the climate crisis.

On October 24, we will stand together as one planet and call for a fair global climate treaty. United by a common call to action, we'll make it clear: the world needs an international plan that meets the latest science and gets us back to safety.

This movement has just begun, and it needs your help.

I would like to suggest you check this out and see if this is something you want to get involved with?

Please let me know your thoughts? I believe than any activity that raises the profile of global warming and climate change is good. It creates discussion and debate which is a good thing.

AIRpod the air powered car

I have just com across the airpod the air powered car.

CLICK HERE

Let me know what you think?

Green Pen Update#7 One Year on!

The first BLOG post on the "green pen" was 28 June 2008 and so it is now nearly one year since I wrote about my informal trial of the green pen.

My last update was in February and I just took a photo of the pen after the coldest May in 10 years.

As you can see it still looks like a pen, the vege ink has not degraded at all and the only noticeable degrading is at the clip end of the pen!

As this pen was advertised as biodegradable within 90 days do you think that statement was BS? Could we class the claim as Greenwashing? Let me know your thoughts?

40% cut by 2020? Do you agree and will it work?

Has anyone visited the "Sign On the word needs us" web site yet? If you have I am keen to find out what you think and to see if you signed up and why?

Greenpeace NZ is behind this mainstream attempt to get our Government to engage on a tougher target on New Zealand Greenhouse gas emission reduction target.

From my understanding of this initiative the goal is to get the powers that be to acknowledge that a 40% reduction on 1990 levels by 2020 is better than 50% by 2050. They make some good points and have a range of high profile people endorsing the position.

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

I think that no matter what your opinions of greenpeace are they are making some noise and generating interest in this issue that under National seems to have been brushed under the carpet.

If you have read this BLOG you will no that the position we have is that the delayed ETS and the economic slow down is not a excuse to do nothing!

Our stance has not changed - GREEN IS GOOD FOR BUSINESS and being sustainable in business is common sense and on so many fronts.

If you run a business then there is NO WAY that you do not want to save money on the bottom line! By taking sustainable business practices and calling them process review and improvements you can save money and become more sustainable. Remember economic sustainability is the name of the game.

So I congratulate greenpeace for raising the awareness of this issue and look forward to you comments on your visits to the sign-on site.

United Nations World Environment Day (WED) 2009 celebrations

I have been sent the following information that may be of interest. Follow the link to some cool downloadable banners.

Also if you are on twitter then start following the UNEP.

Dear Colleague,

I am writing to invite you to participate in the United Nations World Environment Day (WED) 2009 celebrations. While the main WED activities will take place in this year’s host country, Mexico, hundreds of additional worldwide celebrations will also be organized making this a truly global event.

The theme for WED 2009 is 'Your Planet Needs You! Unite to Combat Climate Change.' It reflects the urgency for nations to ‘seal the deal’ at the crucial climate convention meeting in Copenhagen some 180 days later in the year. It also raises a call for everyone to get involved, rethink actions and ways that result in wastage and heavy greenhouse gas emissions, and adopt a greener lifestyle.

We have a number of easy-to-use campaign materials which can be downloaded on the website at http://www.unep.org/wed/2009/english/content/downloads.asp.
These include the WED logo, posters and several flash animations including a new feature, the Daily do something Tips. These are useful ideas on how to easily green your daily routine, and once posted to your website, will link to a page on the WED 2009 website that lists daily tips in the countdown to WED. We request you to post this or the Use Less / Act More flash animation banner on your website to help promote World Environment Day to your stakeholders.

Further, we have started a global online tree-planting campaign for WED on Twitter. UNEP has pledged to plant 100,000 trees for 100,000 followers --or one for every follower if we can achieve more than 100,000-- by World Environment Day, 5 June. This effort supports the Billion Tree Campaign’s goal to plant a total of seven billion trees- one for every person on the planet- by year’s end. We ask that supporters start following at www.twitter.com/UNEPandYou. Add your voice and twitter loudly!

I sincerely hope that you will support World Environment Day and that you will also encourage your wide circle of contacts to publicize and participate both online and on the ground.
As our WED slogan says, ‘Your Planet Needs You!’ We count on your valuable support to help spread the message and mobilize action on this important day for the environment. If you have any questions or requests, please feel free to contact me.

Your support is highly appreciated.

Many thanks in advance,
Emmakate

Green Pen update #6

It is time to update the green pen experiment. I last posted information on 19 December 2008.

It is a new year but as you can see below the results are still the same. I can advise that there has been little change to the pen. As you can see the vegetable ink on the pen has not faded and the pen still looks like a pen.

Green pen update #5

   

The Green Pen trial in real world conditions started on 28 June 2008. The last update was made in November 2008.

As we come to the end of 2008 this trial will have been running fr six months on 28 December 2008.

The trial is proving that real world conditions are much different to test conditions.

You will see from the pictures that the pen sill looks like a pen, the printing is still bold as ever and that apart from a slight bend in the pen as it has contoured to the ground it sits on there is little different that when it was put in the garden in June.

I will keep you posted on the green pen in 2009.

My observation so far is that you cannot just check this on the ground and hope that your green pen will melt away in a small number of months!

The food mile debate

I came across this very interesting article online that is worth reading. The gist of this article is that the carbon intensity of producing food is an interesting topic.

This article provides some evidence that supports the NZ position on our foods that are exported around the globe.

"Local food production does not always produce fewer greenhouse gas emissions. For example, the 2005 DEFRA study found that British tomato growers emit 2.4 metric tons of carbon dioxide for each ton of tomatoes grown compared to 0.6 tons of carbon dioxide for each ton of Spanish tomatoes. The difference is British tomatoes are produced in heated greenhouses. Another study found that cold storage of British apples produced more carbon dioxide than shipping New Zealand apples by sea to London. In addition, U.K. dairy farmers use twice as much energy to produce a metric ton of milk solids than do New Zealand farmers. Other researchers have determined that Kenyan cut rose growers emit 6 metric tons of carbon dioxide per 12,000 roses compared to the 35 tons of carbon dioxide emitted by their Dutch competitors. Kenyan roses grow in sunny fields whereas Dutch roses grow in heated greenhouses."

Green Pen update #4 - Bio degradable pen trial

The last update of the trial was on 21 September 2008.

I was going to take another picture but have decided not too as there is no visible changes that a new photo will pick up!!

The trial started on 28 June 2008.

TheNovamontinformation states that the bio degradable pen will start to break down after 90 days and should be completely degraded in 9 months.

It has now been more that four months and from my most recent observation there is some surface blistering on the pen and the pen now has a slight curve to it as it has shaped to the earth it is resting on.

The vegetable ink printing is a clear and strong as the day the pen was put in the garden.

I know this is not a strictly scientific experiment, however my observations to date lead me to conclude that the conditions in my garden may not be right to break the pen down? The other alternative is that the pen might need to be covered in earth to hasten the breaking down process?

I am sticking with the pen being located in the Garden and will update you all again in another month.

Green Pen - Bio - degradeable trial #3

In the last update on this issue on 2 August it seemed that the pen might be starting to break down.

I checked it out today and there does not seem to have been much progress in the breakdown of the pen in the last month or so??

The pen casing is still firm to the touch and does not seem to be changing much. The printing on the pen is still as sharp as ever.

I have moved it slightly onto some clear soul to see if that makes any difference.

I will update again in around a month.

Updated picture below.

Green Pen Biodegradeable Trial #2

It has been over a month since my last post about the biodegradable pen trial on 28 June 2008.

I can report that after a wild month of winter storms that the pen still sits in my garden and it is time to update you on the trial.

The only noticeable changes to the pen are that on the surface of the pen there are small bubbles appearing! That is all to report.

I have added two pictures for you to review.

Plan B for sustainability

If you are a regular reader of this BLOG you will know that we are passionate about sustainability issues and about help you all understand your own impacts on the environment.

We also try to provide information and discussions on simple ways to be engaged and to make a difference.

We have found a book called Plan B 3.0: Mobilizing to Save Civilization written by Lester R. Brown.

We want to highlight this to you as we believe what Lester is saying is aligned to our thinking. We recommend you visit the links we have provided in this post and consider purchasing the book.

Here is some background on the book:

Plan B is shaped by what is needed to save civilization, not by what may currently be considered politically feasible. Plan B does not fit within a particular discipline, sector, or set of assumptions.

Implementing Plan B means undertaking several actions simultaneously, including eradicating poverty, stabilizing population, and restoring the earth’s natural systems. It also involves cutting carbon dioxide emissions 80 percent by 2020, largely through a mobilization to raise energy efficiency and harness renewable sources of energy.

We face an extraordinary challenge, but there is much to be upbeat about. All the problems we face can be dealt with using existing technologies. And almost everything we need to do to move the world economy back onto an environmentally sustainable path has already been done in one or more countries.

We see the components of Plan B—the alternative to business as usual—in new technologies already on the market. On the energy front, for example, an advanced-design wind turbine can produce as much energy as an oil well. Japanese engineers have designed a vacuum-sealed refrigerator that uses only one eighth as much electricity as those marketed a decade ago. Gas-electric hybrid automobiles, getting nearly 50 miles per gallon, are twice as efficient as the average car on the road.
 

Green Pen - Biodergadable Trial #1 28 June 2008

As promised I have placed a Lecce Green Pen using Mater-Bi in my garden.

The aim of this trial is to see if as promised in the marketing material that the pen starts its composting process in 90 days! So target date is around the end of September 2008.

Watch this BLOG and I will keep you posted.

The above photo was taken today Sat 28 June 2008 in Wellington New Zealand.

The GREEN pen! Yes there is a sustainable solution

I have just attended the Small Business Expo in Wellington. This year the expo has a sustainability focus.

One of the great products I have found at the Expo is the Mater-Bi Lecce Eco pens at the Pronto Print stand.

Pronto Print are the NZ agents for the Lecce Eco pen which is made from a revolutionary new material called Mater-Bi. Mater-Bi is a bioplastic, developed by Novamont and is derived from corn starch. It is a 100% biodegradable composting material.

I am going to set up an experiment and try out the claim that the composting process starts after 90 days and takes approximately 9 months. This weekend I will place one on the pens in my garden and keep you all posted via this BLOG I will also post photos.

I am going to meet with Pronto Print to find out more. They tell me they print on the pens using vegetable based inks.

Check out the links and find out more for yourself and I will keep you posted.

"Peak Water" bigger than peak oil - Water the new "black gold"?

We have been watching the emerging trends of water conservation with interest.

The global response to the growing lack of potable water has global leaders and Governments scratching their collective heads.

Measures taken so far include:

Meeting the Water and Sanitation Targets of the Millennium Development Goals

As recent as 27 May 2008 the following information has been published:

EurActiv.com, 27 May 2008 - The challenge posed by current high oil prices is nothing compared to what lies ahead amid dwindling supply and growing demand for a far more basic commodity - water, warns a Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) professor.

"We once assumed that water is free, air is free and power is cheap. The latter is clearly no longer true and we are increasingly realising the truth about water," argued MIT Sloan School of Management Professor Sarah Slaughter in a May 2008 paper.

As at 4 June 2008 in the NZ Heraldan article focused on the slashing of water usage in the Auckland Region is discussed.

This article states:

Water usage in the Auckland region should be reduced by 15 per cent by 2025, a draft plan has recommended.

The reduction on the present water demand of 330 litres a day per person should be achieved despite population growth.

The report says a further 10 per cent saving could be achieved by treating and recycling water that had been used and substituting drinking water use with other sources, such as stormwater collected in rain tanks, grey water, bore water for industrial and external use and /or treated wastewater.

One of New Zealand's biggest polluters of water is the Diary industry! On one hand they state that if water taxes are imposed they will claim an offset against the water they collect from there land.

However they has been no discussion on the pollutants that get mixed with the water collected! Such as dioxin and toxins from sprays and fertilisers, animal droppings and such like.

They point we are making is that New Zealand is no different that any other country.

Remember we have record low levels in own lake systems, the potential for power shortages and recent droughts.

We should all be deeply worried about the future of our water.

Beginers guide to Bio fuels - the sustainable option?

We often get asked about the good and bad points related to bio fuels. To follow is a beginers guide to help you out.  

 

Bio-fuels

• What options do we have to use biofuels
• What is the difference between ethanol and other bio fuels such as bio-diesel
• Can our vehicles run on biofuels
• How much can we save on fuel costs

 

Biofuels

Biofuel is a generic term for fuels that can be produced from or are made up of a renewable material of plant or animal origin. Often they are substitutes or partial substitutes for fossil or mineral fuels. Biofuels used in transport are typically bioethanol which is used as a petrol substitute and biodiesel which is used as a diesel substitute. These are the biofuels that are most likely to be used in New Zealand in the medium term. Biofuels have the major advantage of not contributing to overall greenhouse gas emissions.

 

Biodiesel can be produced from any vegetable oil or animal fat and used as a substitute or partial substitute for mineral diesel. To produce biodiesel, these fats or oils are chemically converted to esters that have properties similar to mineral diesel. Biodiesel is often blended with mineral diesel and blends of up to 5 percent in mineral diesel are suitable for use in diesel engines without modification. Higher blends may be used in dedicated fleets.

 

Bioethanol is an alcohol made from sugar, starch and products containing sugars and starches, through a process of fermentation and distilling, and used as a substitute or partial substitute for petrol. Bioethanol has properties that are similar to petrol so it is often blended with petrol. Bioethanol is likely to be introduced as a low level blend i.e.  3 to 5 percent in some petrol, although the current maximum level allowed is 10 percent. Higher blends may be used in dedicated fleets.

 

So why then is the NZ Government pushing Bio Fuels?

 

The Ministry of Transport’s web site tells us the following:

 

The government is committed to the use of renewable transport fuels to reduce environmental impacts of the use of fossil fuels, and to reduce New Zealand's dependence on imported transport fuels.

The government is developing and introducing a bio fuels sales obligation for the sale and use of bio fuel blends in New Zealand. The aim is to ensure that oil companies selling petrol or diesel must also sell a small amount of bio fuels. It would be up to the oil companies to determine which combination of bio fuels and which blend levels to use, and where to market them.

 

The big issue facing the Government is the position of the oil companies in NZ and the stance they take on the introduction of bio fuels. Already we have seen the debate on the cost of storage and the need to replace many holding tanks with double skinned storage tanks and the potential take up of the use of bio fuels and the types of vehicles that can run effectively on bio fuels, to name a few.

 

The Government has introduced a sales weighted target and as you would expect the major oil companies have their own opinions on these targets.

Another issue is the ability for the current fleet, which is a mix of new cars and second hand Japanese imports being able to safely operate on the Ethanol blends of E3%, E5%, E8% and E10% blends.

 

Most Japanese second-hand used imports are built to the Japanese domestic standard and these vehicles are not manufactured to cope with an E5 blend or higher.

 

The biofuels sales obligation will require companies that sell petrol or diesel in New Zealand to also sell biofuel.  The amount will be set as a percentage of total combined petrol and diesel sales per year, measured in petajoules, based on the volumetric energy content of each fuel, as follows:

	Year 1 2008 (part year)1	Year 2 2009	Year 3 2010	Year 4 2011	Year 5 2012 onwards2
Obligation: percentage of previous years sales	0.53 percent	1.06 percent	1.67 percent	3.35 percent	3.40 percent
Approximate petajoules3	0.83	2.22	3.55	7.18	7.25

 

New Zealand companies leading the way on research

 

Aquaflow Bionomic Corporation has set itself the objective to be the first company in the world to economically produce biofuel from wild algae harvested from open-air environments, to market it, and meet the challenge of increasing demand.

 

Founded in 2005, Aquaflow Bionomic Corporation (ABC) Limited is committed to developing a means to produce a new biofuel from algae, and passionate about providing solutions to challenges of diminishing energy supplies. The company strives to become a dominant player in renewable energy and associated technologies.

 

ABC harvests algae directly from the settling ponds of standard Effluent Management (EM) Systems and other nutrient-rich water. The process can be used in many industries that produce a waste stream, including the transport, dairy, meat and paper industries.

 

The two-step process firstly optimises the ponds' productive capacity, and secondly, determines the most efficient and economic way of harvesting the pond algae. Algae are provided with full opportunity to exploit the nutrients available in the settling ponds, thereby cleaning up the water. The algae are then harvested to remove the remaining contaminant. A last stage of bio-remediation, still in development, will ensure that the water discharge from the process exceeds acceptable quality standards.

 

The water and sludge treatment process is an elegant clean-up and management service to councils responsible for sewerage treatment systems while also generating a low-cost feedstock for conversion to fuel.

 

The result is an algae-based extract that will ultimately be converted to an alternative fuel source. ABC has established that the company is likely to be able to produce, at commercial scale, a viable biofuel.

 

Sustainability Training the new frontier

I was having a look at the NZ Herald web site today and as I usually do I went in on my usual “climate change” search and came across an article about a new course being offered by the Open Polytechnic.

 

It s called the Graduate Diploma in Sustainable Management (Level 7) and is a new Diploma. (cost of course $2670)

 

The web information told me “Sustainability, carbon footprint, food miles - these terms are becoming more common as we assess the impact of our lifestyle on the earth and question our current environmental or sustainable management of natural and physical resources. The Open Polytechnic of New Zealand's Graduate Diploma in Sustainable Management builds up skills and knowledge in the area of environmental policy and management.

 

Students examine the theory and practice of environment management and devise and evaluate approaches to environmental problems. This includes a compulsory full-year independent research project on an environmental issue of special interest. Past research topics include energy issues, waste management issues and implementation of environmental legislation” More information can be found at Open Poly.

 

This got me thinking about training and sustainability issues.

 

As you may have seen from other posts on this blog Sempre Avanti Consulting (SAC) is running a Sustainability Strategy Master class on 24 & 25 June and 7 & 8 July 2008.

 

The cost of the two day master class is $1995 +GST

 

Key learning objectives:

 

• Define what sustainability means for your organisation
• Develop a sustainability vision and mission statement for your organisation
• Develop a sustainability strategy to implement this vision in your organisation
• Audit your organisations environmental footprint
• Ensure social responsibility in your organisation

 

Developing & Implementing a Sustainability Strategy in Your Organisation is a must attend seminar for all organisations who want to ensure that their organisation is environmentally sustainable.  

 

Over two days combining practical exercises, theory and case studies, learn how to measure your organisations environmental impact, develop a strategy to ensure the sustainable organisation, and communicate your actions to stakeholders, customers, suppliers and the community at large.

 

Who should attend

 

• Business Owners
• Sustainability Managers and Advisors
• Procurement Managers
• General Managers
• Communications Managers
• Environmental Managers
• Managers responsible for Climate Change and Emissions
• Anyone with an interest in enhancing the sustainability of their organisation

 

Please contact Gordon Shaw on email: gordon.shaw@sempreavantinz.co.nz or on mobile             +64 21 249 3681        if you would like to discuss holding an in-house version of this master class within your organisation.

Carbon Finance, Accounting and Reporting

I had the pleasure of being the chair of day one on the Carbon Finance, Accounting and Reporting Conference held in Wellington yesterday 22 April 2008.

I thought it was appropriate that on World Earth Day that a large group on managers involved in sustainability within their respective businesses sa down to take a journey of learning related to Carbon Finance and Accounting.

We had informative presentations on topics as diverse as carbon neutral issues, management accounting issues, legal and accounting implications of carbon finance and accounting, carbon trading, strategy and a case study on Meridian energy.

One them was consistent during the day - "Sustainability is a journey and not a destination"

I was amazed at the experise of the presenters and attendees and was pleased that New Zealand business is leading the world in this area.

What are emission factors??

We have been asked recently to explain “emission factors”

Essentially emission factors are defined as the average emission rate of a given GHG or environmental pollutant for a given source, relative to the intensity of a specific activity.

Emission factors are also region and country specific. For example if you are undertaking a GHG emissions inventory in New Zealand you will need to use New Zealand specific emission factors and avoid generic GHG calculators that might use other country specific emission factors.

We hope this helps? We also suggest that you also check out the following links that will provide you with more in depth information on emission factors.

 

US EPA

NZBCSD

Wikipedia

NZ MAF

NAEI

Commercial applications for bio fuels

It is great news to see evidence of commercial business embracing the use of bio fuels.

Two industries stand out, they are the aviation industry globally and the rail transport industry in New Zealand.

Having just read the following "When a Virgin Atlantic jumbo makes a planned 1 hour and 20 minutes hop from London to Amsterdam later this month it will be one of the most closely analysed flights in aviation history.

The journey, without passengers, could answer the aviation industry's prayers, as it will be powered by a a mix of 20 per cent of a so-far secret biofuel and 80 per cent conventional jet fuel" I get the feeling that once this flight is made then there will be no stopping the rest of the major players in the aviation industry following in Virgins footsteps. Richard Branson is putting his money where his mouth is.

To read more about this flight CLICK HERE

Also noted in the Feb-Mar 08 edition of the NZ FTD magazine is an article on Toll Rail and Shell launching the "bioloco". The article overviews the first use of biofuels in a rail locomotive in New Zealand. The trail is to be run over six months and the locomotives will run on a blend of 5% biodiesel and 95% regular diesel with no retro fitting of the locomotive needed.

To view the FTD magazine article CLICK HERE

These two examples are evidence of companies leading the way on the use or bio fuels.

Climate Change Solutions a New Zealand perspective

Just like most countries at presnet the theme of climate change is a hot topic here in New Zealand.

The NZ Government has been looking for ways to engage the citizens and business community on the issue of climate change. Some would say that we are behind the times here, some would say we are leaders and some would say we are only followers.

However there are a few good web based resources that are avaible to assist anyone starting on the climate change journey. I tought it would be good to share with you some of the good ones I have found as they might help you too?

Please let me know what you think when you visit these sites?

New Zealand's climate challenge

"Prevention is cheaper than the cure. Taking no action to address climate change will be much more expensive than the costs of any actions we might be considering. Taking action now is like taking out an insurance policy for the future." - Hon David Parker, Minister Responsible for Climate Change Issues.

A government web site highlighing the issues of climate change.

Living sustainably means living smarter

This is a household how to guide.

Govt3 - towards sustainable practice in Government

Under the motto ‘walking the talk’, the Ministry for the Environment runs the Govt³ programme that helps central government agencies become more sustainable.

Have a look at how the Ministry of the Environment is coordinating the sustainability programe for Government Departments.

Reduce emissions - just slow down!

I have just read on the internet the following:

"Another development shows the march of progress is not always linear: shipping companies seeking immediate answers to soaring fuel prices and the need to cut emissions are, simply, slowing down.

Hermann Klein, an executive at Germanischer Lloyd classification society, said: "The number of shipping lines reducing speed to cut fuel costs has been growing steadily." His organisation runs safety surveys on more than 6000 ships worldwide.

"Slowing down by 10 per cent can lead to a 25 per cent reduction in fuel use. Just last week a big Japanese container line gave notice of its intention to slow down."

Shipping was excluded from the United Nations's Kyoto Protocol to slow climate change, but many nations want the industry to be made accountable for its impact on the climate in the successor to

Kyoto

.

In

Hamburg

, the Hapag-Lloyd shipping company is not waiting for 2012. The company in the second half of last year cut the standard speed of its ships to 20 knots from 23 1/2 knots, and said it saved a "substantial amount" of fuel.

The calculation used in shipping is complex: longer voyages mean extra operating costs, charter costs, interest costs and other monetary losses. But Hapag-Lloyd said slowing down still paid off handsomely.

"We've saved so much fuel that we added a ship to the route and still saved costs," said Klaus Heims, press spokesman at the world's fifth-largest container shipping line.

Climate change was an additional motivating factor.

"It had the added effect of cutting carbon dioxide emissions immediately," Heims said.

Slowing down has not reduced capacity. For container ships carrying mainly consumer goods from Hamburg to ports in the Far East, the round trip at 20 knots now takes 63 days instead of 56, but to make up for this it added a vessel to the route to bring the total to nine".

So there you go a very good example of the bi-products of making subtle changes to your business operations can be good for the environment. Help with corporate social responsibility and save money on the bottom line.

The vehicle transport industry should take a lead from the shipping indusry.

How do you navigate the carbon footprint hype?

There has been a lot written about organisational sustainability. It has been said that a sustainable organisation is one that behaves in a sustainable manner, whilst focussing on achieving its business goals and outcomes.

But what does sustainability really mean? There is no definitive answer. However, a business must be able to establish sound policies and practices. These must then be delivered in a manner that meets best practice standards and ethical requirements. Legislative and other legal requirements and public expectations must also be met. If you can do this then you are well on the way.

The carbon foot print debate

Becoming carbon neutral has become all the rage. But is it just pure marketing hype?

We suggest to you that it is not all hype. For example we can provide you with evidence on how you can make positive benefits to the bottom line by measuring your emissions/carbon footprint and looking at business processes that reduce the footprint that will save you money and increase economies of scale.

Strategic Direction

Does your organisation have a strategic approach to environmental sustainability? If it does not then it should be thinking about one. Carbon taxes will become a business reality. Organisations that embrace the reduction of carbon emissions as early adopters will steal a competitive advantage over their competition.

Assessment and Analysis

The first step on this carbon neutral journey is to analyse and make an assessment of the current state of your organisation. Sempre Avanti Consulting can assist with methodologies that assist with a current status review. This would include a broader environmental scan, gap analysis, development of a future state view and strategy recommendations

Measurement

The next step is to measure the current state of carbon dioxide emissions. Measuring CO2 emissions raises awareness of climate change impacts provides a basis for identifying opportunities to reduce emissions and provide cost savings.

Sempre Avanti Consulting can assist you with the measurement of your footprint and to produce a carbon foot print report which becomes the basis for strategies to offset and reduce the measured foot print.

Measurement can take the form of travel demand planning audits, energy audits, fleet efficiency audits and waste management audits.

Carbon credits

For any unavoidable emissions the option is to purchase carbon credits to offset these emissions. Carbon credits create funding that is invested in projects such as forest regeneration and renewable energy development.

For example carbon credits derived from forest regeneration projects make for a good option and can integrate into your organisations corporate responsibility programme.

Sempre Avanti Consulting recommends that your organisation takes the lead and considers using carbon neutrality to gain competitive advantage while making a worthwhile as sustainable positive impact on the environment.

A NEW YEAR - it is time to set your 2008 Goals!!

Welcome to 2008.

It is time to set some goals for the year ahead. To help you I have come up with a list of goals that you may want to consider adding to your list for 2008.

GOALS

• Use you car less and walk more - it is good for you and the environment
• Use public transport when you can - a little bit of travel planning will help you get out of your vehicle and use the available public transportation
• When you fly choose an airline that has a carbon off set programme AND USE IT
• Purchase Bio-fuels for your vehicles - check out if you vehicle can operate of bio-fuels such as ethanol petrol mix or bio-diesel, if so use it - we are all better off
• Undertake an energy efficiency audit of your home and office - some ideas for better efficiency include - switching to energy efficient light bulbs, fitting movement sensors to lighting systems, adding insulation to the walls and roof of you home or office.
• Join a carbon offset programme and offset you avoidable emissions by purchasing recognised and accredited carbon credits
• When you replace you vehicle undertake some research and look at hybrid and diesel vehicles as an alternative to petrol vehicles.

This is a small list to start you on your way.

Please let me know other goals you would like to see added to this list.

If Paris can then we all can!!!

Hello from France.

I read with interest in the International Herald Tribune on Friday December 14, 2007 that Paris Hilton has become climate friendly! I kid you not!!

If it is in the newspaper it must be true?

It quotes darling Paris as stating "I changed all the light bulbs to energy-safe light bulbs and I am buying a hybrid car right now"

So who would of thought that Paris Hilton would lead the way on being environmentally sustainable.

Good on you Paris Hilton!

Led Zep, Air Quality, Smart Hotels and Electric Vehicles!

Hello from Genova Italy.

It is Friday and the end of the week. This week I have been moving North in Italy using trains to arrive in Genova.

Some observations for this week!!

First Led Zep, The reunion concert by Led Zep was all over CNN this week! They even interviewed some of the crowd and guess what they found a concert goer from NZ!! I am sure there will be a CD and DVD released soon for all of us who missed out!! I was thinking what the carbon foot print of a rock concert is? Maybe it is time to offer a service to the rick industry to measure GHG emissions from events!!

Secondly there is Air Quality. The weather has been kind on the trip so far many fine calm cool days. But boy talk about air pollution!!!! The air quality is bad there is a brown orange haze and later in the day it gets bad enough to make you cough!! So all those small cars the Italian drive add up to a lot of CO2 emissions. Thank goodness for New Zealand,s good air quality.

Thirdly, Smart Hotels. I visited Pisa this week and stayed at the Sanranieri Hotel in Pisa. Pisa Hotel

Check out the web site - what a cool place! It is a smart building and the thing I noticed was the number of light sensors. The lights come on as you move about the hotel and your rooms. I has about the Hotels carbon footprint but it was lost in translation! I think they thought I was from Mars!! There was a lot more the hotel could do to be really SMART. Such as grey water recycling, not changing towels and linen every day, using solar power to name a few.

By the way the Sanranieri Hotel is 10km from the Pisa railway station and guess what I walked to the hotel!! Yes it is true!! No carbon produced on that journey!

Lastly, electric vehicles. In Florence I observed a number of electric scooters, small electric buses (so the could fit down the small streets) and electric delivery vehicles. The Florence council is also introducing a light rail system starting next year. I could not find any English information to identify how the electric vehicles are charged or if the electricity is produced sustainability.

I have had a great week in Italy - lots of food for thought!

Next week it is back to France to spend some time in the Normandy region.

Vehicle Emissions Debate

Here in New Zealand we are awaiting a decision from our Government on making changes to the rules related to vehicle emission standards. The Ministry responsible for the policy change for some time has signalled that there will be major change.

Industry groups from both sides are lining up to state their cases. On one side of the scale we have the new car industry and on the other we have the used car industry. They are not pulling any punches. For example I have just read the latest edition of the "autofile" magazine and they new car industry is quoted as saying "Ministers have buckled under pressure from used importers" and the used car importers have stated "The new vehicle industry is being self-serving".

SO you can see that there is alot of emotion in the debate.

The debate is being driven by the New Zealand Government driving to reduce Transport produced CO2 emissions.

The new and used car industries will debate this issue until the cows come home! However one comment in the autofile article got me thinking? "there is an obligation on all parties (including vehicle owners) to play a part in reducing air pollution"

I totally agree with this statement. As vehicle purchasers we ALL have a part to play in getting up to speed with the issue of vehicle emissions and making the emission standards of a vehicle a key component of our purchasing decision.

One good example of this is Tourism Holdings announcing today in the media that it has bought 370 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter motor homes to be customised for the New Zealand market. It has lined up its existing 1500-vehicle fleet for a new benchmark test being developed by Vehicle Testing New Zealand.

The new regime exceeds the European benchmark Euro IV standard. Qualifying vehicles will be some of the world's lowest emitters.

Lets all try to follow this lead!

Business Travel Planning - Climate Friendly

There has been a lot written about organisational environmental sustainability.

A sustainable organisation is one that behaves in a sustainable manner, whilst focussing on achieving its business goals and outcomes.

What is Business Travel Planning?

Land Transport New Zealand [LTNZ] tells us the following “A workplace travel plan sets out steps to encourage staff to travel to and from work by public transport, on foot, by bike or by car share, and to improve access for a particular workplace.” This definition implies that staff travel into a fixed place of work and return to their homes at the end of the working day.

It is my belief that there is a need to take a wider view of travel planning than just a focus on how your staff behaves in getting to and from work. If fact, the broadening of the focus beyond LTNZ’s focus to all business related travel has far more positive impacts.

Business travel planning starts with the simple act of collating information on domestic air travel, international air travel, taxi trips and rental car usage. The application of some business and statistical analytics and the application of consulting expertise will lead to improved business processes and policies than can be designed to reduce cost and improve environmental sustainability through changes in behaviour.

How does Business Travel Planning contribute to an organisation’s environmental sustainability?

The act of reviewing an organisations travel planning provides insights into opportunities to change travel behaviours that can lead to streamlined and efficient business practices.

For example, how many single occupant taxi journeys does your organisation undertake in one month? What are the alternatives? With the use of business travel planning there is opportunity to look at ways of employees travelling together and making multi occupant journeys or to use shuttles. Another option is to review your organisation’s taxi procurement policy to select taxi provider that run their fleets on alternative fuels such as bio-fuels or natural gas.

So as you can see a good starting point in any sustainability review is with travel planning. I dare you to undertake some analysis on your own travel for business or leisure. I am sure you will get a shock and you will see that with small changes in behaviour you can make incremental gains that extrapolated out over a year can save you money and time!

Green Consulting

You may be hearing the term "green consulting" more and more?

You might be saying what does it mean? I hope I can help to explain to you what it is all about?

From my perspective as a green consultant it means two things. 1) Owning and managing a consulting firm that has a strong sustainability focus and, 2) Being able to assist clients with navigating the road of corporate social responsibility, environmental awareness and delivering green outcomes.

If you visit the Sempre Avanti Consulting web site you will see the we are a participant in the carboNZero programme and that we are a carbon neutral consulting firm.

Sempre Avanti Consulting

You will also see that we help clients with many of the issues facing businesses today linked to climate change and sustainability.

We have also joined the Green Logistics Consulting Group which is a like minded group of consultants working around the globe to assist clients with sustainability issues.